Yungas Road

城市概覽

The Yungas Road is better known by the name of Ruta de la Muerte or Death Road indicating the many deaths and accidents that happened here. Nowadays, a highway has replaced the once so dangerous road. And what is left is being exploited for marketing purposes by mountain bike tour companies in La Paz. Nevertheless, the region is a hidden gem and beside the road it offers many hiking and leisure opportunities worth staying here a couple of days.

History Built by Paraguayan prisoners during the Chaco war in 1930. There was an average of 100 motor fatalities a year, when the road was the main corridor. A world record, mostly due to the Bolivian driving style than to the road itself. Though, in the ten years that mountain biking companies have been biking down the road, there have only been 12 biking fatalities).

Landscape

Flora and fauna

Climate

如何抵達

By bus Frequent buses from the Terminal Provincial Minasa Yungas in La Paz will go by and stop in Yolosita (Bs. 20). From there you can hike up to Coroico, there is a direct trail, or take a minibus for Bs. 5. There are also a few direct connections to Coroico. Regular bus travel between Yolosita and Yucumo (Beni department), especially in the evening: Bs. 40-50, 8-10 hr.

By bicycle Usually, if you book a tour, this is the way you come in. Nevertheless, you can also rent a proper bicycle in La Paz, let the bicycle be carried to the to pass at 5,000 m or the 1 beginning of the North Yungas Road and cycle down into the valley.

On foot Likewise, getting dropped off at the beginning of North Yungas Road (Bs. 10-15 by bus), you can hike down into the valley. Or you get dropped off even earlier and do the El Choro Trek. Also, see below for all hiking options. You might consider starting your trek near La Paz, but it is probably better to do that in a group of 3 or more.

當地交通

On foot and navigation There region consists of many interesting hiking and cycling trails. For reliable trails and GPS navigation, consult OpenStreetMap, which is used by many mobile Apps like OsmAnd or Mapy.cz. Or just download the according GPX or KML files through Waymarked Trails for such trails on OpenStreetMap. (Note, you just need to change the OpenStreetMap relation ID to download the GPX or KML files through the same link.)

必看景點

1 Tres Cascadas (the trail starts left of the 1 Capilla Calvario (church) on the way to Uchumachi from Coroico). Three picturesque waterfalls about 10 km away from Coroico, one way. This is a full day hike. Especially the third waterfall, La Jalancha, looks impressive. (updated Jun 2018) 2 Tocaña (organised by tour or taxi, but it is also just a full day hike away (incl. return)). A black Afroboliviana community with its specific music and dresses. Read on their history and pay them a visit. (updated Jun 2018) Castillo del Loro (around 64 km from La Paz up the South Yungas Road, or 18 km west from Yanacachi). Closed. Here you will find a surprise: a European castle, built in the 1930s, emerges in the middle of the coca and flower growing region. It's a treat because the people who run the castle/hotel have built many narrow roads for hiking through mountains and mountain cascades. Much calmer and relaxing than Coroico. The hotel is called the Hotel y Parque Ecológico el Castillo del Loro. (updated Feb 2019)

體驗活動

El Vagante, Office: Plaza, Coroico, ☏ +591 75274751. 30 minutes away from Coroico there is this community project that offers canyoning and trekking. Canyoning involves rappelling down 8 natural waterfalls with pure, fresh, crystal clear water in the middle of the Yungas Jungle. You can also enjoy trekking through the Yungas tropics appreciating nature and fauna, breathing healthy full of oxygen air. FB. US$40-60. (updated May 2018) 1 Pozas del Vagante. River swimming. (updated Jun 2018) 2 Laguna Cedromayo. A nice swimming pool next to a waterfall, in case it gets really hot. Bs. 5. (updated May 2018) 4 Zip Lining (Station) (Zzip the Flying Fox), Yolosa. Daily 09:00-11:00, 13:00-17:00. A 1,500-m zipline developed by the community in 2010. It flies at speeds of up to 85 km/h. Besides this station there is another 3 higher one across the river. Maybe you can go from this one the whole way. Check it out in case you go by with the bicycle. Tour providers charge Bs. 255, but on site it will be cheaper, bargain (!). (updated May 2018) The "Vertical Route" Circuit (Iron Road / Via Ferrata). The communities San Juan de la Miel and Villa Ascensión offer this commercial 6-hr adventure tour along 5 different "iron activities": abseiling, iron steps, a hanging bridge of 30 m, a 100-m zip line, and a rope swing. The "road" is both, vertical and horizontal, equipped with nails, dams, staples, chains, handrails, suspension bridges and zip lines. They allow safe access to otherwise difficult areas. Bs. 500-1,000 for 2 people. Search for "Vertical Route" to find tour operators, or if you prefer more authentic, just head to the local community offering the adventures. (updated Jun 2018)

Hiking

Hike the Yungas North Road (take an early bus from the Terminal Provincial Minasa Yungas to the 2 upper starting point, about 1½ hr; the bus should be around Bs. 15 if you make clear that you want to get off there and not in Yolosita). It is also possible to hike down the North Yungas Roa

美食

Many shops in this region, e.g. in Yolosita, sell in palm leaf wrapped chocolate bars at Bs. 10/5 (large/small, but small is the better deal) made out of 100% chocolate without any sugar. So, if you ever wondered what pure chocolate taste like, this is your chance. The chocolate bars are actually intended for cooking—it does not mean however that you will find anything different offered in this region. Nevertheless, it can be good in combination with coffee or hot milk.

住宿

You will find most sleep options in Coroico. However, there are remote accommodations all over this region, ranging from luxurious to typical Bolivian. Checkout Google Maps and contact them directly via WhatsApp.

Camping Along the trails there should be enough options to camp, just make sure it is not close to a village or unintentional in someone's backyard. Check out the marked camp site on OpenStreetMap. Often however, you will also find options provided by the people of the village to put up a tent.

1 Campamento Minero La Chojlla (near Yanacachi along the South Yungas Road). Apparently a great place for camping near an interesting mine for a visit. (updated Feb 2019)

Lodging 2 Villa Bella (1 km south of Yolosa). Has cabanas and a large family apartment available Bs. 60-100 pp. (updated May 2018) 3 El Jiri Ecolodge, Cotapata National Park, Coroico (near Charobamba; use the 8 bridge to cross the river south.), ☏ +591 70677115, [email protected]. (updated May 2018) 4 Urpuma Ecolodge, El Chairo, ☏ +591 71951006, +591 71218624. A project of the Asociación Comunitaria de Ecoturismo Urpuma beneficing 25 families in this region. (updated May 2018) 5 Hotel Villa Verde (6.5 km north/furth